Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
No
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

If you are looking for the beach where all visitors and locals flock to watch the magnificent sunset and you want to stay close to Provincetown, Massachusetts, Herring Cove Beach is the destination for you.

To get to Herring Cove Beach, it is only a brief walk from the parking lot to the beach with ramps along the way. Also, if necessary, you can obtain a beach wheelchair from the lifeguards, which make this beach ADA-accessible.

With the appropriate permits, fires and fishing are allowed right on the beach. There is a snack stand with benches and tables available as well as showers and a changing area. Evening concerts are held at the snack stand during the summer for your enjoyment. The water at this beach is not as ideal as other beaches. There is a lot of seaweed that fills the waves and shore. However, with its amazing sunsets and the ability to have fires, fish and enjoy evening concerts, Herring Cove Beach is still a very popular beach.

The beach has lots of parking, although costs are steep at $20. There is a section of the parking that is free, but spaces are limited. The reason this area is free is because it is part of a road that has been damaged during a past storm. As you walk down the beach, you can see parts of the many sections of the broken road collapsing into the sand. Although you can walk along this damaged path, there is a barrier preventing cars from passing.

There are a few cautions at Herring Cove Beach should you decide to spend the day.  Although there are lifeguards on duty for your protection, be mindful that there are great white sharks that lurk in these waters.  Along with sharks, the rip currents in this area are very dangerous and can pull you underneath the water.  There are signs at the entrance of the beach that warn beachgoers of these cautions, and lifeguards can advise the best way to prevent any potential injury.

Even with the few downsides that come with Herring Cove Beach, it has many options to keep your day filled with enjoyment. With all there is to do at Herring Cove Beach, this a great stop on your next adventure.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Great sunset views. Wheelchair accessible. Fires and fishing permitted. Snack stand.

Cons

Dangerous waters.

Features

ADA accessible
Fishing
Picnic tables

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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